Math Abilities Among Children with Neurodevelopmental Difficulties: Understanding Cognitive Factors and Evaluating a Pilot Intervention

Math development in children relies on several underlying cognitive functions, including executive functions (EF), working memory (WM), and visual-motor abilities, such as visual-motor integration (VMI). Understanding how these cognitive factors contribute to children’s math performance is critical...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Canadian journal of school psychology 2024-09, Vol.39 (3), p.247-265
Main Authors: Mattson, Danielle, Kryska, Kathryn, Pei, Jacqueline, Coles, Claire, Kable, Julie, Millians, Molly, Andrew, Gail, Cormier, Damien, Rasmussen, Carmen
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Children with disabilities
Cognitive Processes
Control Groups
Educational evaluation
Educational psychology
Executive Function
Mathematics Achievement
Mathematics Education
Neurological disorders
Participant Characteristics
Short Term Memory
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Summary:Math development in children relies on several underlying cognitive functions, including executive functions (EF), working memory (WM), and visual-motor abilities, such as visual-motor integration (VMI). Understanding how these cognitive factors contribute to children’s math performance is critical to supporting math learning and long-term math success. The present quasi-experimental waitlist control study (N = 28) aimed to (a) examine the unique contributions of EF, WM, and VMI to math abilities among children ages 5–8 years old with neurodevelopmental difficulties; (b) determine whether a math intervention (the Mathematics Interactive Learning Experience; MILE) that supports these cognitive processes was effective when modified to be delivered to small groups in a school setting, and (c) examine whether any participant characteristics, such as age or IQ, were correlated with post-intervention math score changes. At baseline, participants’ math scores were significantly below the normative mean in all math content areas (ps 
ISSN:0829-5735
2154-3984
DOI:10.1177/08295735241259061